Zombie

February 29, 2012

Many believe this drink was created in 1933 or 1934 by Donn the Beachcomber, which it might have been, however it is unlikely. Donn was also known to claim the Mai Tai at this same time, this was certainly not true. Here is an early printing of this drink:

CIE: Volumes 50-51 by Hotel & Restaurant Employees and Bartenders International Union, Hotel Employees & Restaurant Employees International Union, Hotel and Restaurant Employees’ International Alliance and Bartenders’ International League of America in 1941

Other sources claim this drink was popularized by the World’s Fair in New York in 1939, but provide no literature supporting this claim. There is no evidence that this drink even existed prior to 1940, Some early references do not even place this drink in california as seen here:

America day by day by Simone de Beauvoir in 1953

“Meanwhile, we cheerfully drank zombies. This formidable cocktail originated in New Orleans; this drink is named after the living dead. The zombie cocktail is considered so strong that in many places they do not serve it”

Donn’s premix was not even in circulation until the late 1940’s as seen here:

This drink was likely named after the popular song “Abercrombie Had a Zombie” as seen in this publication:

The American music lover: Volume 7 by Peter Hugh Reed in 1940

“Abercrombie Had a Zombie, and Tain’t Nobody’s Bizness If I Do. “Fats” Waller and his Rhythm.”

There have been many recipes that have attempted to recreate the premix, however, it appears there was no need, seeing as recipes far predate Donn’s Zombie mix. It is undetermined when and where this drink derived, or even how it got it’s name, but nearly all early recipes list the same ingredients.

This drink dates between 1939 – 1941 and contained atleast as of then: